Rethinking Classroom Celebrations in SPPS

As students get back into their school routines, SPPS is working to find ways to rethink classroom birthday parties and celebrations by taking the focus off of food, while incorporating more physical activity into the school day.

“We want to see classroom celebrations focus on fun, not food,” said Carol Grady, the District’s Statewide Health Improvement Program Coordinator.

Over the years, the number of monthly classroom celebrations has increased, resulting in students having sugary treats multiple times a month, Grady said. This can lead to unhealthy eating habits and help fuel childhood obesity by filling kids up with empty food calories.

Bringing food may exclude students with cultural restrictions and/or allergies and medical conditions. It may also put a burden on families to buy treats for the entire classroom.